Problems and solutions Common mistakes and how providers can avoid them Doris Gibb ACPET National Conference 28 August 2015
Overview OSO s role Complaint trends Investigation outcomes for main complaint issues Problems we see How to prevent problems Resources
OSO s Role We investigate complaints about the actions of private registered education providers across all education sectors, taken in connection with international students We work with education providers to help them improve their internal complaints and appeals processes We report on trends and systemic issues
Our complaints role There are nearly 1,000 providers in our jurisdiction We have received complaints about nearly a third Complaints received from students from over 68 countries We received 2,150 complaints and appeals in our first four years of operation (9 April 2011 to 8 April 2015) We investigated 879 of these and 1271 were resolved by other means
Complaint trends 700 Complaints and appeals received April to April each year 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 2011-2012 553 2012-2013 453 2013-2014 495 2014-2015 648
Number of issues investigated by student course sector 140 120 100 80 60 40 VET (462) Higher Education (129) ELICOS (87) Non-Award (86) Schools (49) 20 0 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15
Top 4 complaints 250 fee and refund 200 150 100 Standard 7 Transfer between registered providers Standard 11 Monitoring attendance 50 0 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 Standard 10 Monitoring course progress
Fee and refund complaints 51% decided in favour of the student 22% decided in favour of the provider supports student 114 2% 2% 5% supports provider 49 10% 8% 51% provider reconsidered after investigation commenced 22 referred back to provider after investigation commenced 19 withdrawn 5 transferred to another authority 4 22% other outcome 11
Standard 7 transfer appeals 37% decided in support of the provider 21% decided in support of the student 1% supports provider 54 12% 6% 5% 37% supports student 31 provider reconsidered after investigation commenced 27 referred back to provider after investigation commenced 18 withdrawn 9 18% Lapsed 8 other outcome 1 21%
Standard 11 attendance appeals 46% decided in favour of the provider 41% decided in favour of the student 2% 2% supports provider 109 6% 3% supports student 98 46% provider reconsidered after investigation commenced 14 referred back to provider after investigation commenced 7 withdrawn 6 41% other outcome 4
Standard 10 course progress appeals 58% decided in support of the provider 29% decided in support of the student 6% 3% 3% 1% supports provider 86 supports student 44 29% 58% provider reconsidered after investigation commenced 9 referred back to provider after investigation commenced 4 withdrawn 5 other outcome 2
Problems written agreements Receiving money from students before the offer is accepted and the agreement is formed Failing to include complete and accurate information in agreements about the course, fees and refund policies Failing to include a refund policy Providers using the refund policy to charge a cancellation fee (need a cancellation policy for this) Unclear or inconsistent use of key terms Terms and conditions which are contradictory.
Solutions -Written Agreements Clear written agreement with course name, study periods, itemised list of fees signed or otherwise accepted by student, parent or legal guardian Refund policy included (not a link or reference to it elsewhere, such as the student handbook) Cancellation fee policy included if you want to charge a fee for withdrawing before course completion Fees paid concurrently with, or after, agreement signed Refunds owed paid within provider obligation period either under the written agreement or s 47E ESOS Act
Problems provider transfers Having a transfer policy that does not define when a transfer will be granted Provider including irrelevant grounds in the transfer policy (e.g. DIBP Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) criteria) Provider relying on grounds for refusal that are not included in the transfer policy (e.g. unpaid fees) Failing to provide the student with a written outcome Refusal letters that list a standard set of reasons, some or all of which do not apply to the individual student Failing to show detriment when refusing a transfer
Solutions - provider transfers Having a transfer policy that clearly defines the circumstances in which a transfer will be granted the circumstances the provider considers provide reasonable grounds for refusing the student s request, including when a transfer can be considered detrimental to the student only includes relevant grounds Preamble to Standard 7 states: It is expected that the student s request will be granted where the transfer will not be to the detriment of the student
Solutions - provider transfers (2) All transfer requests properly considered and refusal based on detriment/grounds listed in policy Written refusal with reasons why the provider considers the transfer would be to the student s detriment, taking into account the student s individual circumstances Student advised of internal appeal right Internal appeals considers any new information and addresses this in the written outcome with advice of external appeal rights
Problems attendance reporting Attendance policies that do not comply with standard 11 Failing to implement policies Incorrect attendance calculations Failing to warn students that they are at risk of being reported before they fall below 80% Poor practices in sending the Notice of Intention to Report Failing to give external appeal rights
Solutions - attendance (1) A clear attendance policy that: states the attendance requirements (80% minimum) states when and how the provider will contact the student to warn them if they are at risk of falling below 80% projected attendance or absent for 5 consecutive days
Solutions - attendance (2) Attendance policy available to students and explained at orientation Provider keeps accurate attendance records and calculations which can be replicated by an external appeal body Parents/legal guardian involved if under 18 years If student never commences at all, reported under s19(1)(c) rather than poor attendance
Problems course progress Provider s course progress policy does not define satisfactory and unsatisfactory course progress Policy does not state the point at which the student will be deemed to have failed or applies a different standard Failing to implement an intervention strategy at all; implementing one that is not meaningful; implementing it too late or; cancelling it mid-way
Problems course progress Failing to report the student after they fail to meet course progress (after the intervention strategy has been implemented) Sending the notice of intent to report to the wrong address Failing to the give the student appeal rights before reporting the student Reporting the student on different grounds in PRISMS
Solutions - course progress Have a course progress policy that clearly defines: satisfactory and unsatisfactory course progress when the student is deemed to be at risk of not meeting satisfactory course progress the point at which the student will be determined to have failed to meet satisfactory course progress The course progress policy includes an intervention strategy designed to assist students to improve to satisfactory levels
Solutions - course progress The intervention strategy is implemented as soon as the student is identified as being at risk If the student still fails to meet satisfactory course progress, the provider sends the notice of intention to report with appeal rights The student has the opportunity to lodge an internal and external appeal, and the provider awaits the outcomes, before reporting the student
Internal Appeal & Complaints Provider s internal complaints and appeals policy readily available e.g. on its website Provider helps students access the appeal process when problems/disagreements arise Provider deals with complaints/appeals objectively based on relevant facts and applicable policy/legislation Provider identifies any errors made and remedies them Internal appeal written outcome details reasons for the decision and external appeal rights
Solutions? Avoid problems: Make sure your written agreement is compliant Make sure your polices are compliant and staff follow them in practice recruit students with the capacity to undertake the course Listen to complaints opportunity to fix problems, protect reputation, retain students, improve policies and practices and avoid future problems
Resources Presentations on a range of topics on our website Issues papers and submissions Provider e-newsletter twice a year Student e-newsletter twice a year Subscribe on our website: www.oso.gov.au/publications-and-media/ Brochures in English and 21 other languages Annual report and quarterly statistical reports
Where to go for help? ESOS hotline, general enquiries: Phone: 1300 615 262 PRISMS Help Desk: 61 2 6240 7647 Email: prisms@education.gov.au OSO better practice complaint-handling guide for education providers www.oso.gov.au
Questions? www.oso.gov.au